Sixth-grade students from all four elementary schools in the Fulton City School District recently traded their classroom desks for hands-on discovery during a field trip to SUNY Oswego's Shineman Center and Rice Creek Field Station. 

For many of the visiting sixth-graders, the trip offered an inspiring first glimpse into life on a college campus.

The young scientists spent their mornings inside the Shineman Center laboratories, exploring the world of STEM through interactive demonstrations. Students observed colorful chemical reactions, got hands-on with high-tech scientific equipment and discussed how science impacts everyday life.

In the afternoon, the learning moved outdoors. The students brought their curiosity to explore Rice Creek's nature trails and waded into the water to study local ecology.

"The pure joy and fascination on the students' faces as they waded into the water and examined their specimens was something truly special to witness,” said Karen Murdoch, a sixth-grade teacher at Granby Elementary School.

The visit left a lasting impression on both the young students and their educators, reinforcing the connection between SUNY Oswego and our surrounding community.

"We are profoundly grateful for the time, passion and expertise shared by the SUNY Oswego faculty and staff," Murdoch added. "We are deeply in your debt for giving our students a treasure trove of memories and a renewed love for science!”